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Mariatheresa Hope, RN, BS, Public Health Nursing, La Salle University, 71 Hampton Drive, Richboro, PA 18954, 215-357-2066, terryhope6@hotmail.com and Katherine K. Kinsey, PhD, RN, FAAN, School of Nursing, La Salle Neighborhood Nursing Center, La Salle University, Box 808, 1900 West Olney Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19141.
According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is the second most prevalent chronic illness in childhood. More than 150,000 children are Type I diabetics and 13,000 new cases will be diagnosed in 2004. This graduate public health nursing project focused on the increasing number of Type I diabetics entering middle school (7th and 8th grades) in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Expressed concerns by the staff precipitated the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of Diabetes Awareness and Education Program (DAEP). The concerns included in-school disease management by 11 to 13 year olds; limited teacher/staff understanding of the disease processes and its effects on learning; the degree of sport/field trip involvement; and, the children’s desire to be “…like everyone else”. The DAEP targeted teaching and support staff involved in health and physical education and related integrated arts programs. DAEP supports Healthy People 2010 Goal 5: Objective 5.1. Twenty staff participated in DAEP. The program included four 30-minute sessions followed by question and answer periods. Each session reviewed disease processes, the challenges of student learning and self-management of his/her diabetes during educational experiences. The sessions promoted strategies to support/assist diabetic children who do not want to be singled out; and fostered dialogue about disease management policies. This two-semester student project concludes April 2004. Formative and summative findings will be presented. Recommendations for policy changes are described. The development of DAEP by a committed, caring school nurse represents part of the solution in promoting self-management of childhood diabetes.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescents, Diabetes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.